"You must drown her," Queen Leona says, referring to the youngest triplet. She had just given birth to the new generation of queens. The poisoner Aceline had come first, then Kalani the elemental, quickly after. Minutes later, the youngest triplet, Orianna, was born. She is an oracle.
"My queen, surely-" the midwife, Wren says, cut off short by the queen.
"You must. She is an oracle, prone to madness. You know the rules, since queen Elsabet, all oracle queens must drown." Leona says sternly.
Wren pulls little Orianna closer to her. As if sensing their sister's dire situation, the other triplets start balling.
"But-" Wren starts.
"You must," the queen almost shouts.
"Yes, my queen." Wren whispers, eyes down.
"Now help me up, I will leave for the mainland now."
"Yes, Queen Leona,"
"Then you must take the baby to the stream, and drown her,"
Wren nods, and helps the queen up. The queen leaves the black cottage, her carriage traveling southeast to Indrid down.
The midwife walks outside, Queen Orianna clutched in her arms. She makes her way to the stream, and kneels over the rushing water. Wren lowers Orianna, putting a little of her into the freezing water. The queen's calm, trusting eyes stare back at Wren's. I can not do this! She thinks.
Quickly, Wren pulls Orianna out of the rushing stream. Wrapping the baby in her arms, she hurries back into the cottage.
A man is standing in the room, looking impatient. He is a messenger. This can not be! The messengers should have already left!
"Apologies for being so late, Wren. One of the messengers fell ill. What off the queens?" He says.
"Queen Aceline, the eldest, a poisoner. Queen Kalani, the middle queen, an elemental." Wren stops, unsure what to do next. "Last, Queen Orianna, the youngest, a.." She falters, but only for a second, for she must not raise suspicion. "A naturalist," She says.
"Very well. Thank you." He says, and leaves.
What have I done?! Wren thinks.
YOU ARE READING
One Hidden Queen
FanfictionA Three Dark Crowns Fanfic. 400 years before the book, a seemingly regular generation of triplets was born. But what happens when a queen with a death sentence from birth, survives under a false gift? Amid the chaos of the Ascension, how will these...
